Winter 2026 – News Beat
2026 EDS SUMMIT RETURNS TO RESORTS WORLD LAS VEGAS ON MAY 18
The 2026 EDS Summit will take place May 18-22 at Resorts World Las Vegas! The event’s theme is “The Week That Makes Your Year.” New this year: Companies approved to attend EDS will receive a registration email from EDS Management, which will include a direct link to register. There is no passcode required this year. Once registered, your hotel booking link will be available both on your registration confirmation page and in your confirmation email, making it easy to complete your plans in one place. Register to attend, view sponsorship information, explore meeting space options at edssummit.com.
ANNOUNCING THE NEW CAREER CENTER HUB ON ERA.ORG
ERA is excited to debut a new section on its website — the Career Center Hub, aimed at providing a single access point to ERA resources on recruitment, mentorship, internships and other support for member firms and early-career professionals. Visit era.org/career-center-hub to check it out! As for mentorship, an ERA committee is in the beginning stages of creating a mentorship/ mentee program in 2026. The first step is to collect seasoned professionals that are willing to volunteer their time to be a mentor. Interested in serving as an ERA mentor? Fill out this form: era.org/era-mentorship-program.
CONGRATULATIONS, COLT 2025 GRADUATES!
Congratulations to the 2025 class of COLT graduates! Sixteen electronics industry professionals took time out of their busy week in November to come together, collaborate, learn and brainstorm ways to elevate their local ERA chapters at ERA’s annual Chapter Officers Leadership Training. Hosted by Cameron English, CPMR, Ed Smith, Walter Tobin, and Ama Derringer, this three-day virtual training program provided attendees with interactive, creative lessons on member recruitment, hosting events and organizing educational sessions, all to help chapter leaders elevate chapter activities and networking opportunities. Well done to these participants: Drew Vojslavek; Carolann Vlastaris; MaryJo Tullo; James Pipe; Codi Sinkovitz; Kevin LaPiana; John Masucci; Jorge Rodriguez Vidrio; Sam Karr; Joe Norton; Steve Mendez, CPMR; George Montano; Tracy Williams; Gary Lee Smith, CPMR; Caleb Scott, CPSC and Veronica Stinnette.
STEP 2025 PROGRAM AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
Elevate your sales skills with the STEP 2025 video training series! If you or your employees couldn’t attend the live STEP 2025 program, don’t let that valuable knowledge pass you by. We’ve archived and bundled all nine sessions, which focus on topics like speaking with authority; career-planning; the AI advantage…and more! This series is designed to equip you with the practical, actionable tactics needed to close more deals and lead with confidence. ALL STEP programs from years 2021-2025 are available for purchase at: era.org/step. These training videos will allow you to step up your sales and professional skills, and come away with useful takeaways, best practices and key tools to succeed in today’s ever-changing market. Viewers will be able to implement what they have learned right away and excel at their jobs.